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Tom Dreesen, pioneering comedian and Frank Sinatra's longtime opening act, dead at 86
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Key Points:
- Tom Dreesen, a pioneering stand-up comedian who formed one of America's first interracial comedy duos with Tim Reid and served as Frank Sinatra's opening act for 14 years, died at age 86 at his home in Los Angeles.
- The duo "Tim and Tom," formed in 1969, used humor to address racial tensions and promote understanding, working together until the mid-1970s before Dreesen pursued a successful solo career with over 500 national TV appearances.
- Dreesen was a frequent guest on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and his final TV appearance was last week on "Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen."
- Beyond comedy, Dreesen toured with notable entertainers like Sammy Davis Jr. and Liza Minnelli, acted in TV shows and films, co-wrote a book about his partnership with Reid, and was active in charitable and veterans’ causes.
- He is survived by two daughters and seven grandchildren; his son Tommy predeceased him.
